Nigeria’s contingent of athletes and officials for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, is expected to depart the country today (Tuesday), ahead of the competition scheduled to begin on Saturday, September 13.
While some US-based athletes have already begun arriving in Tokyo, a core group of athletes and officials will leave Nigeria today to join them. Sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi confirmed his arrival in Japan on Sunday.
According to the Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN), 15 athletes—comprising eight men and seven women—will represent the country across 11 events. These include the men’s and women’s 100m, women’s 100m hurdles, men’s 200m, men’s 400m, men’s 400m hurdles, men’s and women’s long jump, men’s shot put, women’s discus, and women’s hammer throw.
The team will be spearheaded by 100m hurdles world record holder Tobi Amusan, who remains Nigeria’s only world champion after her historic triumph at the 2022 edition in Oregon, USA. She will be joined by shot put star Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, 400m hurdles talent Ezekiel Nathaniel, and long jump queen Ese Brume, Africa’s record holder with 7.17m.
Other athletes on the roster include:
- Samuel Ogazi (400m)
- Kayinsola Ajayi (100m)
- Chioma Onyekwere-Lyons (discus)
- Prestina Ochonogor (long jump)
- Obiageri Amaechi (discus)
- Charles Godfred (long jump)
- Rosemary Chukwuma (100m)
- Oyesade Olatoye (hammer throw)
- Israel S. Okon (100m)
- Chidi Okezie (400m)
Amusan, who stunned the world in 2022 with her blistering 12.12s world record in the semi-finals before claiming gold in 12.06s, will once again carry Nigeria’s biggest medal hopes in Tokyo.
Brume, who has previously enjoyed success in Japan, is also tipped to contend for a podium finish if she can rediscover her best form.
With the championships only days away, expectations remain high that Nigeria’s blend of experienced campaigners and rising stars will make a strong impact on the global stage.
